This Is Your Brain on Violence

With a videogame, you’re more actively involved in the violence and the process, whereas watching a TV show or a movie, it’s more passive. There may be some differences. It depends on the experience. Maybe it’s easier with a videogame to develop this emotional arousal than with a TV or movie. It probably depends on the content. There are certain TV shows or movies that might have lots of violence over a long period of time that might result in similar findings. There was a study published in the past year by John Murray at Kansas State University. He had children watch violent and nonviolent TV shows, and he showed that while watching violent TV there was emotional arousal.

Would you advise parents who are Christmas and Chanukah shopping to avoid these games completely?

I’m not sure it’s my place to say. The important thing is that parents should be aware that there are at least short-term effects on brain functioning that we show. The fact that we’re showing this in experimental fashion should raise concern that exposure to this could result in some longer-term changes. I have always tried to limit the length of time and the content. My kids haven’t played the very violent games. They have played some teen games. Parents need to be aware of it and make their own decisions. The one thing they shouldn’t do is not pay attention to what their kids are doing. It’s a reasonable idea to control it. Sometimes kids will get on and play for hours and hours and hours. That’s something parents should be concerned about.

© 2006